Budget tips

Language courses and schools abroad: Budget tips

Learning a language cheap is possible

How to save money on your language course

Don’t let uncertainties in the economy limit your ambitions: studying abroad is an investment in yourself. Learning a language in cultural immersion is both the most efficient and most enjoyable way to study. The skills you gain will stay with you for life.

All of our programmes have been carefully selected for the needs of our students, but there can be a noticeable difference in price. With this in mind, here are some ways to save when booking a low-cost language course.

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Special offers

Check our special offers regularly and take advantage of them. Find out about our offers of the month and ongoing offers, discounts on courses or accommodation, free flights or excursions, and other types of discounts on language courses abroad.

Travel as a pair (or in a group)

ESL offers you a special reduction for each participant. In order to benefit, all you have to do is enrol at the same time and ask for the discount when you make the booking. There is no need to book the same accommodation or to choose the same destination/school.

Low-cost destinations

Among the hundreds of destinations available for a language course abroad, some have a much more attractive cost of living than others. For instance, you will pay a lower rent in Lyon than in Paris and your meals will be cheaper in Berlin than in Munich. ESL offers a wide choice of destinations to suit all budgets. Our team are here to give you the latest info.

Contact us to find out more about our low-cost destinations throughout the world.

Choose your dates

Depending on your availability, you will save money by studying outside of the high season. For example : 

2 weeks of courses + accommodation in Berlin in May or September EUR 745 
2 weeks of courses + accommodation in Berlin in July-August EUR 812

Travel prices are also more favourable outside of high season.

Book early and save

Book more than three months before you travel and take advantage our Early Bird special offer. Throughout the year, this discount is bigger for longer courses.

In addition, our Early Bird special offer lets you pay this year’s prices, next year. Book before 1st November to make this saving. By booking in advance, you can also take advantage of competitive prices on your flight or train ticket.

Combine destinations/schools of the same group

You can combine 2 or 3 destinations or schools during the same language study trip for a price based on the total duration.
For example, it is possible to divide a stay of 8 weeks between 2 destinations whilst paying the fees for 8 weeks, which is cheaper than paying for 2 stays of 4 weeks.
This option is generally possible with schools of the same group.

Earn money with a job while you study

Opt for destinations/schools which offer a Job Club. This meeting space offers a free interface between the local job market and the student community. It is an effective exchange platform which, thanks to the advice of professionals, the help of the school and experience of former students, will allow you to find a job which is compatible with your studies and your availability (in this case, the standard course will be the best suited to you).
It is also a good opportunity to extend your stay following your academic course.
For students with a Working Holiday Visa (WHV), our “course + paid job” programmes in Australia and New Zealand represent an excellent way to provide for your needs while continuing your language learning experience in full immersion.

Gap Experience

The longer you stay, the more favourable the prices are. The original prices of the schools are based on a “sliding scale”, which allows you to take advantage of special prices depending on the duration of your stay. Following your language course, you can also extend your studies in the field, as an intern or as a volunteer worker. ESL organises work placements and volunteering programmes to extend your stay at the lowest cost after completion of your language course.

Join a local company or get involved in a project that will benefit the local community. Immersing yourself in a work environment is very rewarding on a personal level and will really make your résumé stand out.

Choose the most affordable accommodation option

ESL offers many different accommodation options. Our team can help you find your perfect option, depending on your needs and lifestyle.
For example, self-catering accommodation is the cheapest option, as you can prepare your own meals according to your budget. Staying with a host family with half board included, on the other hand, helps you to calculate your accommodation and food budget for the whole duration of your stay.
Some schools let you stay in a shared room with another student, even if you are travelling on your own – this can be another budget-friendly option. In this case, we endeavour to make sure that it is with someone of another mother tongue.

Funding support

People working for companies or administrative bodies often don't know that funding and support for training are available to them.

According to your country of residence, these may be economic or political measures, which are offered as part of a training plan for adults. Take advantage of this great opportunity to take a language training course abroad. Have you already discussed it with your employer?
Consult our training programmes designed for professionals.

Plan your journey

Choose destinations served by low-cost airline companies.
Don’t forget to compare prices with rail transport companies, which also have special offers throughout the year.

Competitions

ESL organises numerous competitions to win language courses abroad throughout the year. You have to be in it to win it!

Get in touch with us

Visit an ESL drop-in office and discuss your language project with us. We have plenty of budget tips, expert advice and experience to share with you. Local support can make a big difference!
Our consultants are there to assist you and they will be happy to talk you through the destinations and schools available for a low-cost language course abroad.

Why choose your next journey with ESL

Best Agency in Europe: as voted by ST Star time and time again!

We have over 30 years of experience, starting our story as a small Swiss language school, and now one of the top language travel agencies in Europe

Our services are completely free, and if you find your programme cheaper elsewhere, we’ll refund you the difference.

Our agency status has been accredited by the most prestigious organisations in the language travel industry, including ICEF, WYSE, IALC, ALTO, and many more!